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Charles Andrew Gardner at Black Harvest Film Fest

“We are starting to have
a way for our stories
to be shared,
told, and heard …
it’s only gonna make
us and the entertainment
industry stronger …
It’s time”

Charles Andrew Gardener, President of SAG-AFTRA Chicago, was among the guests enjoying the reception following Black Harvest Film Festival’s opening night at The Joffrey Ballet.

Besides pursuing his own film and stage career — which includes a lead role in Logan Stone’s upcoming feature film, Noise and Color, and numerous performances at the Goodman and Steppenwolf theaters — Gardner has helped countless associates as a seasoned mentor and teacher. His most recent gigs include a workshop about Acting in Film for Camera Ambassador’s Iron Sharpens Iron series.

He’s also a tireless advocate for the projects of other Chicago filmmakers, including Sanicole’s Training Wheels, starring his “baby cousin,” Zuri McPhearson.

Below, check out Gadner’s “shameless plug” for Zuri, his thoughts about the film industry, and a status report on his upcoming feature, currently in development.

CHARLES ANDREW GARDNERBLACK HARVEST FILM FESTIVAL

From IMDbCharles Andrew GardnerBorn and raised on Chicago’s south side, Actor, Director, Producer Charles Andrew Gardner has a passion for telling the story of the underrepresented. Trained on the stage, he approaches each project with utmost care and empathy, placing authenticity at the cornerstone of all his creations. On-Camera credits include feature films, Olympia: An Instructional Manual for Being an Adult, The Defiled and Holding On, as well as multiple national commercials for brands including Liberty Mutual, Ford, McDonalds, Pepsi Co. and AT&T. Mr. Gardner appeared on Timeline Theatre Company’s stage in John Conroy’s My Kind of Town (BTAA nomination for Best Actor), for which Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune named him as one of 2012s “Hot New Faces to Watch.” Other Chicago theatre credits include Objects in the Mirror, Stop.Reset.(us), and Buzzer(us) at Goodman Theatre; How Long Will I Cry at Steppenwolf Theatre Company; Macbeth and Othello at The Suitcase Shakespeare Company; The Great Fire(us) at Lookingglass Theatre Company and Spectacle Lunatique at Redmoon Theater. In addition to his work on stage and in front of the camera, Mr. Gardner is a Chicago Local SAG-AFTRA board member as well as an arts education advocate, teaching acting with Gallery 37 and Timeline’s Living History program.

To review other interviews from the Black Harvest Film Festival, click here.